CONAGRA BRANDS REPORTS THIRD QUARTER RESULTS PR Newswire
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    CONAGRA BRANDS REPORTS THIRD QUARTER RESULTS
    7:30a ET April 4 '24 PR Newswire

    Today Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) reported results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2024, which ended on February 25, 2024. All comparisons are against the prior-year fiscal period, unless otherwise noted.

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    Third quarterHighlights

    -- Net sales decreased 1.7% from the prior year quarter; organic net sales decreased 2.0%

    -- Operating margin was 15.5% representing a 33 basis point decrease over the prior year quarter. Adjusted operating margin was 16.4% representing a 49 basis point decrease over the prior year quarter.

    -- Diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.64, a 9.9% decrease over the prior year quarter. Adjusted EPS was $0.69, a 9.2% decrease over the prior year quarter.

    -- The company is increasing fiscal 2024 adjusted operating margin guidance and reaffirming organic net sales and adjusted EPS guidance.

    CEO Perspective Sean Connolly, president and chief executive officer of Conagra Brands, commented, "Our Q3 results demonstrate steady progress stemming from strong execution. Volume trends in our domestic retail business continued to improve as targeted investments,particularly in frozen, generated strong lifts and unit share gains. Outstanding progress on our cost savings initiatives allowed us to support strategic investments in our brands while sustaining margin recovery. We also continued to deliver substantial improvements in free cash flow enabling us to meaningfully reduce our net leverage ratio over the first three quarters of 2024. Our long-term focus remains on executing our strategic prioritiesand generating value for our shareholders."

    Total Company Third Quarter Results In the quarter, net sales were$3.0 billion reflecting:

    -- a 0.3% increase from the favorable impact of foreign exchange; and

    -- a 2.0% decrease in organic net sales.

    The2.0%decrease in organic net sales was driven by a0.2% negative impact fromprice/mix, largely driven by the company's strategic investments in the quarter,and a1.8%decrease in volume, primarily due to continued lower consumption trends.

    Gross profit increased2.4% to$859 million in the quarter, and adjusted gross profit increased0.1% to$870 million.Third quarter gross profit increased ashigher productivity more than offsetthenegative impacts of lower organic net sales, cost of goods sold inflation, and unfavorable operating leverage.Gross margin increased114 basis points to28.3% in the quarter, and adjusted gross marginincreased52 basis points to 28.7%.

    Selling, general, and administrative expense (SG&A), which includes advertising and promotional expense (A&P), increased 11.0% to $387 million in the quarter driven primarily by higher incentive compensation compared to the prior year quarter and a 6.5% increase in A&P. Adjusted SG&A, which excludes A&P, increased 7.4% to $286 million primarily driven by higher incentive compensation compared to the prior year quarter.

    Net interest expense was$107 million in the quarter. Compared to the prior-year period, net interest expenseincreased2.2% or$2 million, primarily due to a higher weighted average interest rate on outstanding debt.

    The average diluted share count in the quarter was480 million shares.

    In the quarter, net income attributable to Conagra Brands decreased9.7%to$309 million, or$0.64 per diluted share compared to$342million, or$0.71 per diluted share in the prior year quarter driven primarily by theincrease in A&P and SG&A, as previously discussed. Adjusted net income attributable to Conagra Brands decreased10.1% to$329 million, or$0.69 per diluted share.

    Adjusted EBITDA, which includes equity method investment earnings and pension and postretirement non-service expense (income),decreased5.3% to$634 million in the quarter, primarily driven by the decrease in adjusted operating profit.

    Grocery & Snacks Segment Third Quarter Results Reported and organic net sales for the Grocery & Snacks segment increased 3.4% to $1.3 billion in the quarter driven by a price/mix increase of 4.2%, partially offset by a volume decrease of 0.8%. The company gained dollar share in snacking and staples categories including chili, pudding, microwave popcorn, seeds, and canned meat due to the wrap of the canned meat recall in the year ago period.

    Operating profit for the segmentincreased16.7% to$299 million in the quarterand adjusted operating profitincreased16.5% to$300 million as higher organic net sales,higher productivity, and lower A&Pmore than offsetthe negative impacts of cost of goods sold inflation,unfavorable operating leverage, andhigher SG&A. In addition, we receiveda $7.4 million net benefit related to insurance proceeds for prior year lost sales from our canned meat recall.

    Refrigerated & Frozen Segment Third Quarter Results Reported and organic net sales for the Refrigerated & Frozen segment decreased 8.1% to $1.2 billion in the quarter as price mix decreased 4.8%, primarily attributable to an increase in strategic investments, and volume decreased 3.3%, primarily due to continued lower consumption trends. The company gained dollar share in select categories such as frozen sides, frozen single-serve meals, frozen breakfast, and frozen seafood due to the wrap of the impacts from the plant fire in the year ago period.

    Operating profit for the segment decreased23.6%to$202 million in the quarter. Adjusted operating profitdecreased25.2% to$203 million as higher productivity was more than offset by the negative impacts of lower organic net sales, cost of goods sold inflation,unfavorable operating leverage, and higher A&P and SG&A.

    International Segment Third Quarter Results Net sales for the International segmentincreased4.6% to$272 million in the quarter reflecting:

    -- a 3.6% increase from the favorable impact of foreign exchange; and

    -- a 1.0% increase in organic net sales.

    On an organic net sales basis, price/mix decreased 1.7% and volume increased 2.7% primarily driven by a strong performance in the company's Mexico business.

    Operating profit for the segmentincreased13.9% to$42 million in the quarter.Adjusted operating profitincreased16.4% to$43 million as the benefits from higher productivity and higher organic net salesmore than offset the negative impactof cost of goods sold inflation,and higher SG&A and A&P.

    Foodservice Segment Third Quarter Results Reported and organic net sales for the Foodservice segment decreased 1.0% to $273 million in the quarter as volume declines of 4.8% offset a price/mix increase of 3.8%.

    Operating profit for the segmentincreased48.7%to$35 million.Adjusted operating profitincreased40.6% to$35 million in the quarter as the benefits of higher productivity, price/mix, and lower SG&A more than offset the negative impacts of cost of goods sold inflationandunfavorable operating leverage.

    Other Third Quarter Items Corporate expensesincreased17.6% to$107 million in the quarter and adjusted corporate expenseincreased21.2% to$82 million in thequarter driven primarily by higher incentive compensation compared tothe prior year quarter.

    We incurred pension and post-retirement non-service expense of $1.4 million in the quarter compared to $6 million of income in the prior-year quarter due primarily to higher interest costs and a pension settlement loss.

    In the quarter, equity method investment earningsdecreased18.5% to$41 million as resultsfrom the company's joint venture, Ardent Mills, reflected slightly lower volume trends in the milling industry.

    In the quarter, the effective tax rate was23.7% compared to22.6% in the prior-year quarter. The adjusted effective tax rate was23.8%compared to22.8%in the prior-year quarter.

    In the quarter, the companypaid a dividend of $0.35per share.

    Outlook The company is increasing fiscal 2024Adjusted Operating Margin guidance to approximately 15.8% and updating fiscal 2024 guidance for the following:

    -- Net Leverage Ratio of approximately 3.44x

    -- Capital expenditures of approximately $425M

    -- Interest expense of approximately $435M

    The company is reaffirming fiscal 2024 guidance for the following:

    -- Organic net sales to decrease between 1.0% and 2.0% compared to fiscal 2023

    -- Adjusted EPS is expected to be between $2.60 and $2.65

    -- Adjusted effective tax rate of approximately 24%

    -- No pension income

    -- Ardent Mills contribution of approximately $170M

    The inability to predict the amount and timing of the impacts of foreign exchange, acquisitions, divestitures, and other items impacting comparability makes a detailed reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures impracticable. Please see the end of this release for more information.

    Items Affecting Comparability of EPS The following are included in the $0.64 EPS for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 (EPS amounts are rounded and after tax). Please see the reconciliation schedules at the end of this release for additional details.

    -- Approximately $0.01 per diluted share of net expense related to corporate hedging derivative losses

    -- Approximately $0.03 per diluted share of net expense related to legacy legal matters

    -- Approximately $0.01 per diluted share of net benefit related to rounding

    The following are included in the $0.71 EPS for the third quarter of fiscal 2023 (EPS amounts are rounded and after tax). Please see the reconciliation schedules at the end of this release for additional details.

    -- Approximately $0.01 per diluted share of net expense due to fire related costs

    -- Approximately $0.04 per diluted share of net expense related to corporate hedging derivative losses

    Please note that certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with current year presentation.

    Discussion of Results Conagra Brands will issue pre-recorded remarks prior to hosting a live Q&Aconference call and webcast at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time today. The live audio webcast Q&A conference call, pre-recorded remarks, transcript of the pre-recorded remarks,and presentation slides will be available on www.conagrabrands.com/investor-relations under Events & Presentations. The Q&A conference call may be accessed by dialing 1-877-883-0383 for participants in the U.S. and 1-412-902-6506 for all other participants and using passcode 6964529. Please dial in 10 to 15 minutes prior to the call start time. A replay of the Q&Aconference call will be available on www.conagrabrands.com/investor-relations under Events & Presentations until April 4, 2025.

    About Conagra Brands Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), headquartered in Chicago, is one of North America's leading branded food companies. Guided by an entrepreneurial spirit, Conagra Brands combines a rich heritage of making great food with a sharpened focus on innovation. The company's portfolio is evolving to satisfy people's changing food preferences. Conagra's iconic brands, such as Birds Eye(R), Duncan Hines(R), Healthy Choice(R), Marie Callender's(R), Reddi-wip(R), andSlim Jim(R), as well as emerging brands, including Angie's(R) BOOMCHICKAPOP(R), Duke's(R), Earth Balance(R), Gardein(R), and Frontera(R), offer choices for every occasion. For more information, visit www.conagrabrands.com.

    Note on Forward-Looking Statements This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Readers of this document should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. Many factors could affect our actual financial results and cause them to vary materially from the expectations contained in the forward-looking statements, including those set forth in this document. These risks, uncertainties, and factors include, among other things: risks associated with general economic and industry conditions, including inflation, rising interest rates, decreased availability of capital, volatility in financial markets, declining consumer spending rates, recessions, decreased energy availability, increased energy costs (including fuel surcharges), supply chain challenges, labor shortages, and geopolitical conflicts (including the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine); negative impacts caused by public health crises; risks related to our ability to deleverage on currently anticipated timelines, and to continue to access capital on acceptable terms or at all; risks related to the company's competitive environment, cost structure, and related market conditions; risks related to our ability to execute operating and value creation plans and achieve returns on our investments and targeted operating efficiencies from cost-saving initiatives, and to benefit from trade optimization programs; risks related to the availability and prices of commodities and other supply chain resources, including raw materials, packaging, energy, and transportation, including any negative effects caused by changes in levels of inflation and interest rates, weather conditions, health pandemics or outbreaks of disease, actual or threatened hostilities or war, or other geopolitical uncertainty; risks related to the effectiveness of our hedging activities and ability to respond to volatility in commodities; disruptions or inefficiencies in our supply chain and/or operations; risks related to the ultimate impact of, including reputational harm caused by, any product recalls and product liability or labeling litigation, including litigation related to lead-based paint and pigment and cooking spray; risks related to our ability to respond to changing consumer preferences and the success of our innovation and marketing investments; risks associated with actions by our customers, including changes in distribution and purchasing terms; risks related to the seasonality of our business; risks associated with our co-manufacturing arrangements and other third-party service provider dependencies; risks associated with actions of governments and regulatory bodies that affect our businesses, including the ultimate impact of new or revised regulations or interpretations including to address climate change or implement changes to taxes and tariffs; risks related to the company's ability to execute on its strategies or achieve expectations related to environmental, social, and governance matters, including as a result of evolving legal, regulatory, and other standards, processes, and assumptions, the pace of scientific and technological developments, increased costs, the availability of requisite financing, and changes in carbon pricing or carbon taxes; risks related to a material failure in or breach of our or our vendors' information technology systems and other cybersecurity incidents; risks related to our ability to identify, attract, hire, train, retain and develop qualified personnel; risk of increased pension, labor or people-related expenses; risks and uncertainties associated with intangible assets, including any future goodwill or intangible assets impairment charges; risk relating to our ability to protect our intellectual property rights; risks relating to acquisition, divestiture, joint venture or investment activities; the amount and timing of future dividends, which remain subject to Board approval and depend on market and other conditions; and other risks described in our reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements included in this document, which speak only as of the date of this document. We undertake no responsibility to update these statements, except as required by law.

    Note on Non-GAAP Financial Measures This document includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted EPS, organic net sales, adjusted gross profit, adjusted operating profit, adjusted SG&A, adjusted corporate expenses, adjusted gross margin, adjusted operating margin, adjusted effective tax rate, adjusted net income attributable to Conagra Brands, free cash flow, net debt, net leverage ratio, and adjusted EBITDA. Management considers GAAP financial measures as well as such non-GAAP financial information in its evaluation of the company's financial statements and believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful supplemental information to assess the company's operating performance and financial position. These measures should be viewed in addition to, and not in lieu of, the company's diluted earnings per share, operating performance and financial measures as calculated in accordance with GAAP.

    Organic net sales excludes, from reported net sales, the impacts of foreign exchange, divested businesses and acquisitions, as well as the impact of any 53rdweek. All references to changes in volume and price/mix throughout this release are on an organic net sales basis.

    References to adjusted items throughout this release refer to measures computed in accordance with GAAP less the impact of items impacting comparability. Items impacting comparability are income or expenses (and related tax impacts) that management believes have had, or are likely to have, a significant impact on the earnings of the applicable business segment or on the total corporation for the period in which the item is recognized, and are not indicative of the company's core operating results. These items thus affect the comparability of underlying results from period to period.

    References to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) refer to net income attributable to Conagra Brands before the impacts of discontinued operations, income tax expense (benefit), interest expense, depreciation, and amortization. References to adjusted EBITDA refer to EBITDA before the impacts of items impacting comparability.

    Hedge gains and losses are generally aggregated, and net amounts are reclassified from unallocated corporate expense to the operating segments when the underlying commodity or foreign currency being hedged is expensed in segment cost of goods sold. The net change in the derivative gains (losses) included in unallocated corporate expense during the period is reflected as a comparability item, Corporate hedging derivate gains (losses).

    Note on Forward-Looking Non-GAAP Financial Measures Our fiscal 2024 guidance includes certain non-GAAP financial measures (organic net sales growth, adjusted operating margin, adjusted EPS, net leverage ratio, and adjusted effective tax rate) that are presented on a forward-looking basis. Historically, the company has calculated these non-GAAP financial measures excluding the impact of certain items such as, but not limited to, foreign exchange, acquisitions, divestitures, restructuring expenses, the extinguishment of debt, hedging gains and losses, impairment charges, legacy legal contingencies, and unusual tax items. Reconciliations of these forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are not provided because the company is unable to provide such reconciliations without unreasonable effort, due to the uncertainty and inherent difficulty of predicting the timing and financial impact of such items. For the same reasons, the company is unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information, which could be material to future results.

    Conagra Brands, Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Earnings
    (in millions)
    (unaudited)
                                                                      THIRD QUARTER
                                                                      Thirteen Weeks    Thirteen Weeks
                                                                      Ended             Ended
                                                                      February 25,      February 26,      Percent Change
                                                                      2024              2023
    Net sales                                                         $       3,032.9   $       3,086.5           (1.7)   %
    Costs and expenses:
    Cost of goods sold                                                        2,174.1           2,247.7           (3.3)   %
    Selling, general and administrative expenses                              387.4             348.8             11.0    %
    Pension and postretirement non-service expense (income)                   1.4               (6.0)             N/A
    Interest expense, net                                                     106.5             104.2             2.2     %
    Income before income taxes and equity method investment earnings          363.5             391.8             (7.2)   %
    Income tax expense                                                        95.9              100.1             (4.2)   %
    Equity method investment earnings                                         41.2              50.5              (18.5)  %
    Net income                                                        $       308.8     $       342.2             (9.8)   %
    Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests                 0.2               0.5               (70.9)  %
    Net income attributable to Conagra Brands, Inc.                   $       308.6     $       341.7             (9.7)   %
    Earnings per share - basic
    Net income attributable to Conagra Brands, Inc.                   $       0.64      $       0.72              (11.1)  %
    Basic weighted average shares outstanding                                 478.8             477.5             0.3     %
    Earnings per share - diluted
    Net income attributable to Conagra Brands, Inc.                   $       0.64      $       0.71              (9.9)   %
    Diluted weighted average shares outstanding                               480.0             479.4             0.2     %
    
    Conagra Brands, Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Earnings
    (in millions)
    (unaudited)
                                                                      THIRD QUARTER YEAR TO DATE
                                                                      Thirty-Nine      Thirty-Nine
                                                                      Weeks Ended      Weeks Ended
                                                                      February 25,     February 26,     Percent Change
                                                                      2024             2023
    Net sales                                                         $      9,145.0   $      9,303.7           (1.7)   %
    Costs and expenses:
    Cost of goods sold                                                       6,616.5          6,822.3           (3.0)   %
    Selling, general and administrative expenses                             1,119.6          1,463.1           (23.5)  %
    Pension and postretirement non-service income                            2.1              (18.2)            N/A
    Interest expense, net                                                    325.8            301.6             8.0     %
    Income before income taxes and equity method investment earnings         1,081.0          734.9             47.1    %
    Income tax expense                                                       297.1            237.0             25.4    %
    Equity method investment earnings                                        131.0            149.0             (12.1)  %
    Net income                                                        $      914.9     $      646.9             41.4    %
    Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests                0.4              0.8               (48.1)  %
    Net income attributable to Conagra Brands, Inc.                   $      914.5     $      646.1             41.5    %
    Earnings per share - basic
    Net income attributable to Conagra Brands, Inc.                   $      1.91      $      1.35              41.5    %
    Basic weighted average shares outstanding                                478.5            479.3             (0.2)   %
    Earnings per share - diluted
    Net income attributable to Conagra Brands, Inc.                   $      1.91      $      1.34              42.5    %
    Diluted weighted average shares outstanding                              479.9            481.0             (0.2)   %
    
    Conagra Brands, Inc.
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (in millions)
    (unaudited)
                                                                       February 25,      May 28,
                                                                       2024              2023
    ASSETS
    Current assets
    Cash and cash equivalents                                          $      78.5       $   93.3
    Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2.8and $2.7         916.5          952.8
    Inventories                                                               2,143.4        2,212.2
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                 117.2          92.4
    Current assets held for sale                                              30.2           34.3
    Total current assets                                                      3,285.8        3,385.0
    Property, plant and equipment, net                                        2,876.7        2,736.4
    Goodwill                                                                  11,109.9       11,109.4
    Brands, trademarks and other intangibles, net                             3,152.1        3,192.3
    Other assets                                                              1,404.8        1,506.2
    Noncurrent assets held for sale                                           90.6           123.3
                                                                       $      21,919.9   $   22,052.6
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current liabilities
    Notes payable                                                      $      166.3      $   636.3
    Current installments of long-term debt                                    1,019.2        1,516.0
    Accounts and other payables                                               1,418.0        1,525.5
    Accrued payroll                                                           168.3          163.5
    Other accrued liabilities                                                 686.2          583.3
    Current liabilities held for sale                                         12.9           16.1
    Total current liabilities                                                 3,470.9        4,440.7
    Senior long-term debt, excluding current installments                     7,491.8        7,081.3
    Other noncurrent liabilities                                              1,729.4        1,718.0
    Noncurrent liabilities held for sale                                      2.3            5.3
    Total stockholders' equity                                                9,225.5        8,807.3
                                                                       $      21,919.9   $   22,052.6
    
    Conagra Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    (in millions)
    (unaudited)                                                                                     Thirty-Nine        Thirty-Nine
                                                                                                    Weeks Ended        Weeks Ended
                                                                                                    February 25,       February 26,
                                                                                                    2024               2023
    Cash flows from operating activities:
    Net income                                                                                      $      914.9       $      646.9
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization                                                                          291.7              277.0
    Asset impairment charges                                                                               50.9               417.7
    Equity method investment earnings less than (in excess) of distributions                               69.5               (69.8)
    Stock-settled share-based payments expense                                                             18.7               68.8
    Contributions to pension plans                                                                         (9.2)              (9.6)
    Pension expense (benefit)                                                                              9.3                (10.4)
    Other items                                                                                            13.9               (0.9)
    Change in operating assets and liabilities:
    Receivables                                                                                            25.5               (96.7)
    Inventories                                                                                            73.3               (340.4)
    Deferred income taxes and income taxes payable, net                                                    43.1               (58.8)
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                              (31.3)             2.4
    Accounts and other payables                                                                            (36.5)             (157.9)
    Accrued payroll                                                                                        4.6                7.4
    Other accrued liabilities                                                                              76.2               71.8
    Litigation accruals                                                                                    16.7               (18.6)
    Deferred employer payroll taxes                                                                        —            (25.5)
    Net cash flows from operating activities                                                               1,531.3            703.4
    Cash flows from investing activities:
    Additions to property, plant and equipment                                                             (309.6)            (267.4)
    Sale of property, plant and equipment                                                                  0.6                3.1
    Purchase of marketable securities                                                                      (8.2)              (3.4)
    Sale of marketable securities                                                                          8.2                3.4
    Proceeds from insurance recoveries                                                                     11.9               —
    Other items                                                                                            1.5                4.1
    Net cash flows from investing activities                                                               (295.6)            (260.2)
    Cash flows from financing activities:
    Issuances of short-term borrowings, maturities greater than 90 days                                    134.5              239.5
    Repayment of short-term borrowings, maturities greater than 90 days                                    (146.6)            (259.8)
    Net (repayment) issuance of other short-term borrowings, maturities less than or equal to              (461.7)            388.2
    90 days
    Issuance of long-term debt                                                                             500.0              500.0
    Repayment of long-term debt                                                                            (766.8)            (708.0)
    Debt issuance costs                                                                                    (3.3)              (4.1)
    Repurchase of Conagra Brands, Inc. common shares                                                       —            (150.0)
    Cash dividends paid                                                                                    (492.0)            (466.4)
    Exercise of stock options and issuance of other stock awards, including tax withholdings               (13.8)             0.9
    Other items                                                                                            (0.6)              5.2
    Net cash flows from financing activities                                                               (1,250.3)          (454.5)
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents                                           —            (0.8)
    Net change in cash and cash equivalents, including cash balances classified as assets held for         (14.6)             (12.1)
    sale
    Less: Net change in cash balances classified as assets held for sale                                   0.2                —
    Net change in cash and cash equivalents                                                                (14.8)             (12.1)
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                                       93.3               82.2
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                                      $      78.5        $      70.1
    
    Conagra Brands, Inc.
    Reconciliation of Q3 FY24 QTD and YTD Organic Net Sales by Segment - YOY Change
    (in millions)
    Q3 FY24                            Grocery           Refrigerated        International      Foodservice        Total
                                       & Snacks          & Frozen                                                  Conagra
                                                                                                                   Brands
    Net Sales                          $    1,286.0      $      1,202.4      $      271.7       $     272.8        $   3,032.9
    Impact of foreign exchange              —             —             (9.4)             —          (9.4)
    Organic Net Sales                  $    1,286.0      $      1,202.4      $      262.3       $     272.8        $   3,023.5
    Year-over-year change - Net Sales       3.4     %           (8.1)   %           4.6    %          (1.0)   %        (1.7)   %
    Impact of foreign exchange (pp)         —             —             (3.6)             —          (0.3)
    Organic Net Sales                       3.4     %           (8.1)   %           1.0    %          (1.0)   %        (2.0)   %
    Volume (Organic)                        (0.8)   %           (3.3)   %           2.7    %          (4.8)   %        (1.8)   %
    Price/Mix                               4.2     %           (4.8)   %           (1.7)  %          3.8     %        (0.2)   %
    
    Q3 FY23                             Grocery &      Refrigerated     International    Foodservice     TotalConagra
                                        Snacks         &Frozen                                           Brands
    Net Sales                           $    1,243.7   $      1,307.7   $      259.7     $     275.4     $      3,086.5
    Net sales from divested businesses       —          —          —         —          —
    Organic Net Sales                   $    1,243.7   $      1,307.7   $      259.7     $     275.4     $      3,086.5
    
    Q3 FY24 YTD                        Grocery &       Refrigerated      International    Foodservice      Total
                                       Snacks          & Frozen                                            Conagra
                                                                                                           Brands
    Net Sales                          $    3,784.0    $      3,692.5    $      811.5     $     857.0      $   9,145.0
    Impact of foreign exchange              —           —           (23.3)          —        (23.3)
    Organic Net Sales                  $    3,784.0    $      3,692.5    $      788.2     $     857.0      $   9,121.7
    Year-over-year change - Net Sales       0.1     %         (6.2)   %         7.9    %        2.9     %      (1.7)   %
    Impact of foreign exchange (pp)         —           —           (3.1)           —        (0.3)
    Organic Net Sales                       0.1     %         (6.2)   %         4.8    %        2.9     %      (2.0)   %
    Volume (Organic)                        (3.0)   %         (5.6)   %         2.1    %        (4.1)   %      (3.7)   %
    Price/Mix                               3.1     %         (0.6)   %         2.7    %        7.0     %      1.7     %
    
    Q3 FY23 YTD                         Grocery &      Refrigerated     International    Foodservice     Total Conagra
                                        Snacks         & Frozen                                          Brands
    Net Sales                           $    3,781.9   $      3,936.8   $      751.9     $     833.1     $      9,303.7
    Net sales from divested businesses       —          —          —         —          —
    Organic Net Sales                   $    3,781.9   $      3,936.8   $      751.9     $     833.1     $      9,303.7
    
    Conagra Brands, Inc.
    Reconciliation of Q3 FY24 Adj. Operating Profit by Segment - YOY Change
    (in millions)
    Q3 FY24                                Grocery &        Refrigerated       International      Foodservice       Corporate        Total Conagra
                                           Snacks           & Frozen                                                Expense          Brands
    Operating Profit                       $    299.3       $      201.5       $      42.2        $     35.4        $    (107.0)     $      471.4
    Restructuring plans                         0.2                0.5                1.1               —          (0.1)              1.7
    Legal matters                               —            —            —           —          17.9               17.9
    Fire related costs                          —            0.6                —           —          —            0.6
    Corporate hedging derivative losses         —            —            —           —          6.8                6.8
    (gains)
    Adjusted Operating Profit              $    299.5       $      202.6       $      43.3        $     35.4        $    (82.4)      $      498.4
    Operating Profit Margin                     23.3    %          16.8    %          15.6    %         13.0    %                           15.5   %
    Adjusted Operating Profit Margin            23.3    %          16.9    %          15.9    %         13.0    %                           16.4   %
    Year-over-year % change - Operating         16.7    %          (23.6)  %          13.9    %         48.7    %        17.6    %          (3.8)  %
    Profit
    Year-over year % change - Adjusted          16.5    %          (25.2)  %          16.4    %         40.6    %        21.2    %          (4.6)  %
    Operating Profit
    Year-over-year bps change - Operating  265 bps          (340) bps          126 bps            434 bps                            (33) bps
    Profit
    Year-over-year bps change - Adjusted   261 bps          (385) bps          161 bps            383 bps                            (49) bps
    OperatingProfit
    
    Q3 FY23                              Grocery &       Refrigerated      International     Foodservice      Corporate      Total
                                         Snacks          & Frozen                                             Expense        Conagra
                                                                                                                             Brands
    Operating Profit                     $    256.4      $      263.6      $      37.1       $     23.8       $    (90.9)    $   490.0
    Restructuring plans                       0.3               1.9               0.1              —         0.2           2.5
    Acquisitions and divestitures             —           —           —          —         0.2           0.2
    Fire related costs                        —           5.2               —          1.4             —       6.6
    Municipal water break costs               0.3               —           —          —         —       0.3
    Corporate hedging derivative losses       —           —           —          —         22.7          22.7
    (gains)
    Adjusted Operating Profit            $    257.0      $      270.7      $      37.2       $     25.2       $    (67.8)    $   522.3
    Operating Profit Margin                   20.6    %         20.2    %         14.3    %        8.6     %                     15.9  %
    Adjusted Operating Profit Margin          20.7    %         20.7    %         14.3    %        9.1     %                     16.9  %
    
    Conagra Brands, Inc.
    Reconciliation of Q3 FY24 YTD Adj. Operating Profit by Segment - YOY Change
    (in millions)
    Q3 FY24 YTD                            Grocery &         Refrigerated        International       Foodservice        Corporate         Total
                                           Snacks            & Frozen                                                   Expense           Conagra
                                                                                                                                          Brands
    Operating Profit                       $    837.2        $      620.9        $      71.8         $     117.5        $    (238.5)      $   1,408.9
    Restructuring plans                         7.7                 1.6                 20.2               —           0.1              29.6
    Impairment of business held for sale        —             —             34.2               —           —          34.2
    Acquisitions and divestitures               —             —             —            —           0.2              0.2
    Legal matters                               —             —             —            —           31.9             31.9
    Fire related costs (benefit)                —             3.7                 —            (5.9)             —          (2.2)
    Corporate hedging derivative losses         —             —             —            —           (9.6)            (9.6)
    (gains)
    Adjusted Operating Profit              $    844.9        $      626.2        $      126.2        $     111.6        $    (215.9)      $   1,493.0
    Operating Profit Margin                     22.1    %           16.8    %           8.9     %          13.7    %                          15.4    %
    Adjusted Operating Profit Margin            22.3    %           17.0    %           15.6    %          13.0    %                          16.3    %
    Year-over-year % change - Operating         (1.2)   %           108.6   %           (28.8)  %          119.6   %         (15.1)  %        38.4    %
    Profit
    Year-over year % change - Adjusted          (0.8)   %           (11.2)  %           25.2    %          48.0    %         (13.7)  %        0.7     %
    Operating Profit
    Year-over-year bps change - Operating  (28) bps                 926 bps      (457) bps           729 bps                                  446 bps
    Profit
    Year-over-year bps change - Adjusted   (19) bps          (96) bps            214 bps             397 bps                              38 bps
    Operating Profit
    
    Q3 FY23 YTD                             Grocery &       Refrigerated      International     Foodservice      Corporate      Total
                                            Snacks          & Frozen                                             Expense        Conagra
                                                                                                                                Brands
    Operating Profit                        $    847.2      $      297.6      $      100.9      $     53.5       $    (280.9)   $   1,018.3
    Restructuring plans                          0.5               3.3               (0.1)            —         5.5           9.2
    Impairment of businesses held for sale       0.5               5.7               —          20.5            —       26.7
    Acquisitions and divestitures                —           —           —          —         0.8           0.8
    Goodwill and brand impairment charges        —           385.7             —          —         —       385.7
    Fire related costs                           —           13.1              —          1.4             —       14.5
    Municipal water break costs                  3.5               —           —          —         —       3.5
    Corporate hedging derivative losses          —           —           —          —         24.6          24.6
    (gains)
    Adjusted Operating Profit               $    851.7      $      705.4      $      100.8      $     75.4       $    (250.0)   $   1,483.3
    Operating Profit Margin                      22.4    %         7.6     %         13.4    %        6.4     %                     10.9    %
    Adjusted Operating Profit Margin             22.5    %         17.9    %         13.4    %        9.1     %                     15.9    %
    
    Conagra Brands, Inc.
    Reconciliation of Q3 FY24 Adj. Gross Margin, Adj. Gross Profit, Adj. SG&A, Adj. Net Income, and Adj. EPS - YOY Change
    (in millions)
    Q3 FY24                        Gross            Selling,             Operating          Income             Income tax         Income tax       Net income          Diluted EPS
                                   profit           general and          profit 1           before             expense            rate             attributable        from
                                                    administrative                          income                                                 to Conagra          income
                                                    expenses                                taxes and                                              Brands,             attributable
                                                                                            equity                                                 Inc.                to Conagra
                                                                                            method                                                                     Brands, Inc
                                                                                            investment                                                                 common
                                                                                            earnings                                                                   stockholders
    Reported                       $   858.8        $       387.4        $    471.4         $     363.5        $     95.9               23.7  %    $      308.6        $      0.64
    % of Net Sales                     28.3    %            12.8    %         15.5     %
    Restructuring plans                1.1                  0.6               1.7                 1.7                0.5                                  1.2                 —
    Corporate hedging derivative       6.8                  —           6.8                 6.8                1.7                                  5.1                 0.01
    losses (gains)
    Advertising and promotion          —              85.6              —             —            —                              —             —
    expenses 2
    Fire related cost (benefit)        2.8                  (2.2)             0.6                 0.6                0.2                                  0.4                 —
    Legal matters                      —              17.9              17.9                17.9               4.3                                  13.6                0.03
    Rounding                           —              —           —             —            —                              —             0.01
    Adjusted                       $   869.5        $       285.5        $    498.4         $     390.5        $     102.6              23.8  %    $      328.9        $      0.69
    % of Net Sales                     28.7    %            9.4     %         16.4     %
    Year-over-year % of net sales      114 bps              147 bps           (33) bps
    change - reported
    Year-over-year % of net sales      52 bps               80 bps            (49) bps
    change - adjusted
    Year-over-year change -            2.4     %            11.0    %         (3.8)    %          (7.2)   %          (4.2)   %                            (9.7)   %           (9.9)   %
    reported
    Year-over-year change -            0.1     %            7.4     %         (4.6)    %          (7.9)   %          (5.1)   %                            (10.1)  %           (9.2)   %
    adjusted
    
    Q3 FY23                        Gross          Selling,           Operating       Income          Income tax      Income tax     Net income       Diluted EPS
                                   profit         general and        profit 1        before          expense         rate           attributable     from
                                                  administrative                     income                                         to Conagra       income
                                                  expenses                           taxes and                                      Brands,          attributable
                                                                                     equity                                         Inc.             to Conagra
                                                                                     method                                                          Brands, Inc
                                                                                     investment                                                      common
                                                                                     earnings                                                        stockholders
    Reported                       $   838.8      $       348.8      $    490.0      $     391.8     $     100.1           22.6  %  $      341.7     $      0.71
    % of Net Sales                     27.2    %          11.3    %       15.9    %
    Restructuring plans                0.5                2.0             2.5              2.5             0.6                             1.9              —
    Acquisitions and divestitures      —            0.2             0.2              0.2             0.1                             0.1              —
    Corporate hedging derivative       22.7               —         22.7             22.7            5.6                             17.1             0.04
    losses (gains)
    Advertising and promotion          —            80.5            —          —         —                         —          —
    expenses 2
    Fire related costs                 6.4                0.2             6.6              6.6             1.7                             4.9              0.01
    Municipal water break costs        0.3                —         0.3              0.3             —                         0.3              —
    Adjusted                       $   868.7      $       265.9      $    522.3      $     424.1     $     108.1           22.8  %  $      366.0     $      0.76
    % of Net Sales                     28.1    %          8.6     %       16.9    %
    
    1 Operating profit is derived from taking Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity method investment earnings, adding back Interest expense, net and removing Pension and postretirement non-service (income) expense.
    2Advertising and promotion expense (A&P) has been removed from adjusted selling, general and administrative expense because this metric is used in reporting to management, and management believes this adjusted measure provides useful supplemental information to assess the company's operating performance. Please note that A&P is not removed from adjusted profit measures.
    
    Conagra Brands, Inc.
    Reconciliation of Q3 FY24 YTD Adj. Gross Margin, Adj. Gross Profit, Adj. SG&A, Adj. Net Income, and Adj. EPS - YOY Change
    (in millions)
    Q3 FY24 YTD                    Gross            Selling,             Operating         Income             Income tax         Income tax       Net income          Diluted EPS
                                   profit           general and          profit 1          before             expense            rate             attributable        from
                                                    administrative                         income                                                 to Conagra          income
                                                    expenses                               taxes and                                              Brands,             attributable
                                                                                           equity                                                 Inc.                to Conagra
                                                                                           method                                                                     Brands, Inc
                                                                                           investment                                                                 common
                                                                                           earnings                                                                   stockholders
    Reported                       $   2,528.5      $       1,119.6      $    1,408.9      $     1,081.0      $     297.1              24.5  %    $      914.5        $      1.91
    % of Net Sales                     27.6    %            12.2    %         15.4    %
    Restructuring plans                8.2                  21.4              29.6               29.6               7.6                                  22.0                0.05
    Acquisitions and divestitures      —              0.2               0.2                0.2                —                              0.2                 —
    Corporate hedging derivative       (9.6)                —           (9.6)              (9.6)              (2.5)                                (7.1)               (0.01)
    losses (gains)
    Advertising and promotion          —              216.8             —            —            —                              —             —
    expenses 2
    Fire related costs (benefit)       5.9                  (8.1)             (2.2)              (2.2)              (0.5)                                (1.7)               —
    Impairment of business held        —              34.2              34.2               34.2               (0.1)                                34.3                0.07
    for sale
    Legal matters                      —              31.9              31.9               31.9               7.9                                  24.0                0.05
    Rounding                           —              —           —            —            —                              —             (0.01)
    Adjusted                       $   2,533.0      $       823.2        $    1,493.0      $     1,165.1      $     309.5              23.9  %    $      986.2        $      2.06
    % of Net Sales                     27.7    %            9.0     %         16.3    %
    Year-over-year % of net sales  98 bps           (348) bps                 446 bps
    change - reported
    Year-over-year % of net sales  57 bps           19 bps               38 bps
    change - adjusted
    Year-over-year change -            1.9     %            (23.5)  %         38.4    %          47.1    %          25.4    %                            41.5    %           42.5    %
    reported
    Year-over-year change -            0.4     %            0.4     %         0.7     %          (2.9)   %          (1.9)   %                            (4.5)   %           (4.2)   %
    adjusted
    
    Q3 FY23 YTD                    Gross          Selling,           Operating       Income          Income tax      Income tax     Net income       Diluted EPS
                                   profit         general and        profit 1        before          expense         rate           attributable     from
                                                  administrative                     income                                         to Conagra       income
                                                  expenses                           taxes and                                      Brands,          attributable
                                                                                     equity                                         Inc.             to Conagra
                                                                                     method                                                          Brands, Inc
                                                                                     investment                                                      common
                                                                                     earnings                                                        stockholders
    Reported                       $   2,481.4    $       1,463.1    $    1,018.3    $     734.9     $     237.0           26.8  %  $      646.1     $      1.34
    % of Net Sales                     26.7    %          15.7    %       10.9    %
    Restructuring plans                0.8                8.4             9.2              9.2             2.3                             6.9              0.01
    Acquisitions and divestitures      —            0.8             0.8              0.8             0.2                             0.6              —
    Corporate hedging derivative       24.6               —         24.6             24.6            6.1                             18.5             0.04
    losses (gains)
    Advertising and promotion          —            221.2           —          —         —                         —          —
    expenses 2
    Fire related costs                 13.8               0.7             14.5             14.5            3.6                             10.9             0.02
    Municipal water break costs        3.5                —         3.5              3.5             0.8                             2.7              0.01
    Impairment of businesses held      —            26.7            26.7             26.7            6.6                             20.1             0.04
    for sale
    Goodwill and brand                 —            385.7           385.7            385.7           58.9                            326.8            0.68
    impairment charges
    Rounding                           —            —         —          —         —                         —          0.01
    Adjusted                       $   2,524.1    $       819.6      $    1,483.3    $     1,199.9   $     315.5           23.4  %  $      1,032.6   $      2.15
    % of Net Sales                     27.1    %          8.8     %       15.9    %
    
    1 Operating profit is derived from taking Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity method investment earnings, adding back Interest expense, net and removing Pension and postretirement non-service (income) expense.
    2Advertising and promotion expense (A&P) has been removed from adjusted selling, general and administrative expense because this metric is used in reporting to management, and management believes this adjusted measure provides useful supplemental information to assess the company's operating performance. Please note that A&P is not removed from adjusted profit measures.
    
    Conagra Brands, Inc.
    Reconciliation of YTD Free Cash Flow, Net Debt, and Net Leverage Ratio
    (in millions)
                                                February 25,     February 26,     % Change
                                                2024             2023
    Net cash flows from operating activities    $      1,531.3   $      703.4           117.7 %
    Additions to property, plant and equipment         (309.6)          (267.4)         15.8  %
    Free cash flow                              $      1,221.7   $      436.0           180.2 %
    
                                                           Q3 FY24       Q3 FY23
    Notes payable                                          $   166.3     $   653.7
    Current installments of long-term debt                     1,019.2       516.6
    Senior long-term debt, excluding current installments      7,491.8       8,081.2
    Total Debt                                             $   8,677.3   $   9,251.5
    Less: Cash                                                 78.5          70.1
    Net Debt                                               $   8,598.8   $   9,181.4
    
                                                                              Q3 FY24
    Net Debt1                                                                 $   8,598.8
    Net income attributable to Conagra Brands, Inc.                           $   952.0
    Add Back: Income tax expense                                                  278.8
    Income tax expense attributable to noncontrolling interests                   (0.3)
    Interest expense, net                                                         433.8
    Depreciation                                                                  330.9
    Amortization                                                                  53.7
    Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA)  $   2,048.9
    Restructuring plans2                                                          26.8
    Acquisitions and divestitures                                                 7.8
    Corporate hedging derivative losses (gains)                                   2.9
    Goodwill and brand impairment charges3                                        343.6
    Legal matters                                                                 35.7
    Fire related benefit                                                          (3.3)
    Third-party vendor cybersecurity incident                                     4.4
    Impairment of business held for sale                                          34.2
    Adjusted EBITDA                                                           $   2,501.0
    Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA4                                                  3.44
    
    1 As of February 25, 2024.
    2 Excludes comparability items related to depreciation.
    3 Excludes comparability items attributable to noncontrolling interests.
    4 The company defines its net debt leverage ratio as net debt divided by adjusted EBITDA for the trailing twelve month period.
    
    Conagra Brands, Inc.
    Reconciliation of Q3 FY24 QTD and YTD EBITDA - YOY Change
    (in millions)
                                                                     Q3 FY24        Q3 FY23        % Change
    Net income attributable to Conagra Brands, Inc.                  $    308.6     $    341.7          (9.7) %
    Add Back: Income tax expense                                          95.9           100.1
    Income tax expense attributable to noncontrolling interests           —        (0.2)
    Interest expense, net                                                 106.5          104.2
    Depreciation                                                          82.4           77.7
    Amortization                                                          13.4           13.8
    Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization  $    606.8     $    637.3          (4.8) %
    Restructuring plans 1                                                 1.5            2.1
    Acquisitions and divestitures                                         —        0.2
    Corporate hedging derivative losses (gains)                           6.8            22.7
    Fire related costs                                                    0.6            6.6
    Municipal water break costs                                           —        0.3
    Legal matters                                                         17.9           —
    Adjusted Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and      $    633.6     $    669.2          (5.3) %
    amortization
    
                                                                     Q3 FY24 YTD     Q3 FY23 YTD     % Change
    Net income attributable to Conagra Brands, Inc.                  $     914.5     $     646.1          41.5  %
    Add Back: Income tax expense                                           297.1           237.0
    Income tax expense attributable to noncontrolling interests            (0.1)           (0.3)
    Interest expense, net                                                  325.8           301.6
    Depreciation                                                           251.5           233.7
    Amortization                                                           40.2            43.3
    Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization  $     1,829.0   $     1,461.4        25.2  %
    Restructuring plans1                                                   23.3            8.8
    Acquisitions and divestitures                                          0.2             0.8
    Corporate hedging derivative losses (gains)                            (9.6)           24.6
    Fire related costs (benefit)                                           (2.2)           14.5
    Municipal water break costs                                            —         3.5
    Impairment of businesses held for sale                                 34.2            26.7
    Goodwill and brand impairment charges                                  —         385.7
    Legal matters                                                          31.9            —
    Adjusted Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and      $     1,906.8   $     1,926.0        (1.0) %
    amortization
    
    1 Excludes comparability items related to depreciation.
    

    For more information, please contact:MEDIA: Mike Cummins312-549-5257Michael.Cummins@conagra.com

    INVESTORS: Melissa Napier312-549-5738IR@conagra.com

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    SOURCE Conagra Brands, Inc.

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    COMTEX_450320985/1005/2024-04-04T07:30:28

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